Elizabeth Sophia Cook

Miss Elizabeth was due April 13, 2014. Like her brother she did not want to come on her due date. I knew she was going to come early. That James and I would have our rushing to the hospital, water breaking in bed, contraction coming quickly labor. Nothing like that happened.

Induction:
I was scheduled for an induction a couple days after my due date. James and I went in to the hospital with our bags all packed. When we got there they monitored me a bit to see if there was any contractions, of course there wasn't any. so they hooked me up to the pitocin and we had to wait. They continued to raise it and I started feeling contractions. they were coming every couple of minutes and lasting the normal amount of time. When I came in a was barely a two and like 85% thinned out. the nurses said as my body has these contractions it should kick start my labor. As the hours pasted, nothing was changing. They put me on the full dose of pitocin that they could give me without having to do an internal monitor. Nothing was changing. they decided at around 10 pm to take me off and see if a hot bath would do the trick and see if my labor continued without the pitocin. I still had some contractions but for the most part they didnt hurt and were just really uncomfortable. they put me back on pitocin and I went to bed. the next morning my midwife came in and I knew we were not having our baby.

Nothing had changed at all. the pitocin didnt kick start anything. I was a little devastated because we had come and I went through this whole thing and nothing. My midwife then got a little nervous thinking my body wouldnt go into labor at all, and I would have to have a c-section. A c-section was the last thing I wanted. I wanted a natural birth were I could walk around and not be tied down like I was for the past 24 hours.

So we went home, after eating at Sharis for breakfast of course.

As I contemplated the feeling I had, they were good. Not like the baby was going to die but that that wasn't the day we were going to have our little girl.

The next couple of days were terrible, I was so exhausted. I slept a lot. Then school started on April 21st. Yipee for me I was super pregnant and I did not like walking all around campus. Luckily my parents went with us and they would drive me around campus, but still who wants to be 41 1/2 weeks pregnant walking around in clothing nonetheless. So I sucked it up and went to class.

Then on Thursday I had an appointment to see my mid wife after school. hopefully I would be dilated enough to get my water broken. I went to school that morning then before my last class I had a feeling I should go home instead so I did. I did a couple of things that needed to be done like finish packing the bag and loading the dishwasher just in case I was going to go into the hospital that night.

James was at work and my parents stayed with Jackson at home so it was me by myself. My appointment was at three so it was a little later, all the nurses knew me and were surprised I hadn't given birth yet. as my midwife came in she decided to check me before they did the ultrasound and stress test on the baby.

She checked em and I was dilated to a three, they could break my water. I was so excited and she suggested I go straight to the hospital from their office. I told her i would run home and pick up James as fast as possible and meet her at the hospital. I was so giddy and happy, I knew this time was for real we were going to have our baby girl tonight or tomorrow.

I called James int he car and he said he would meet me home. I rushed home got the bag and everything ready and kissed and held my baby, for this time would be his last as an only child and James and I headed to the hospital.

I think this is hilarious, but on our way we saw one our grandparents tenants and he named his car "The Black Pearl" after Pirates of the Caribbean. James saw it and was like "look theres Zach". Then as he approached his car he said in an amazing voice, "I'm am about to overthrow the black pearl" It was so amazing and priceless I still laugh at it.

So we get to the hospital and they get me all checked in and my midwife comes to brake m water. I think this is the weirdest feeling. It feels like you are peeing yourself in a bed with a puppy pad under you. But this was it either I went into labor naturally or I had to have a c-section. James and I speed walked the halls and bounced on balls, but the contractions were coming. We watched tv, and ate jello waiting for the time to come. The afternoon turned into night and the nurses changed.

My first nurse was skeptical of me having a natural birth I could tell. As she was asking me questions about my medical history and signing a ton of paper work she asked if I wanted an epidural, and of course I said "no". She got this look on her face, "yeah right you are having this baby natural, you will need an epidural for sure" I was going to prove her wrong. My next nurse was amazing, Mary Jo. I loved her so much she was amazing and so helpful.

So back to my story.... at around 12 to 1 I was in labor but knew that it could be a long time still till the transitional contractions come. I told James to get some sleep and I would wake him as I got closer. he gladly accepted that and went to sleep on the sofa. I watched tv and played on facebook but then I just turned it off to concentrate which should of been my first clue I was close to giving birth.

I pumped which really helped the contractions get closer together. Around 2 am my mom came and James woke up. My contractions were steady and the pain though tough was not unbearable. I had taken a bath which helped the pain a little, I did some more ball hip movements and got back into bed. At 3 I had a sudden urge to go pee. So I  went and as I was ont he toilet almost fainted, were the nurses came in rushing and helped me back to my bed. The nurse suggested I get checked. I was at a six. I had forever to go.Then the nurse said she thought the head wasnt in the right position int he birth canal and suggested I turn on my side to see if she would move and get her head down. So I turned to my side and right away I felt her move down. Within one contraction i had the urge to push and I was dilated to a ten. It happened so fast. The urges got stronger and stronger and it took everything I had not to push. As I would have a contraction I would push for a millisecond then breath and concentrate. If I breathed then I didnt push. Nothing was prepped so every nurse it seemed like came in a rush getting blankets ready, the heat lamp, and all the instruments. Then the mid wife wasnt there either. She was called and as I'm in the bed they are telling me if she doesnt show up they have a nurse who has delivered many babies so they are prepared.

My midwife finally came, it seemed like forever though it was only a short time, but a short time seems like an eternity when you are in labor. She didnt have time to change into scrubs, and as she came in they put her coat on and gloves. They removed the bed and it was time to meet our little girl.

My contractions stopped and I was able to turn over, which was a little miracle because I couldnt move due to the contractions. As I turned over she was ready to come but I could not pull my legs up the pushing felt so good and relieved all this pain I had been feeling. I remember everybody telling me to put my legs up, On my behalf the stirrups were wrong and not placed correctly. It took everything I had to pull them up. I pushed a small push and her head was out, another half push and she was on my chest.

She was amazing this baby was amazing. The miracle of life is one of the greatest thing in the world. To have the baby inside of you and nurture it then give birth to it. It is all so miraculous. She cried as they cleaned her off then she calmed down. I held her for a long time on my chest.

Elizabeth Sophia Cook was born at 3:48 am on April 25, 2014. She weighted 8 pounds and 11 ounces and was 19 inches long. Of course she had all her toes and fingers and absolutely no hair except a little fuzz. She was perfect.

 Then the adrenaline kicked in and I got the shakes and felt cold like I did with Jackson. i honestly think the end with the shakes is the worst part. They cleaned her off and out the tags and did her foot prints then James got to hold her. his little girl. He is an amazing father. We are so blessed to have him in our lives and the love he has for me and our children is so amazing.

Everything calmed down quickly. I was able to nurse the baby after I calmed down and she was amazing. She latched on like a champ and nursed like a  pro. It is amazing the things babies can do just an hour after birth. I felt so much better this time around. The nurse did end up giving me pitocin right at the end which didnt do anything for the birth but did help after. I took a bath with James help and as my parents loved on the new baby got ready to move. I was not sleeping on the delivery bed like I did last time, my back killed the next couple of days. They moved us and we got settled in with our new baby just as the birds started chirping and the sun started to come up from the horizon.

Of course James fell asleep, but I was wide awake. I held the baby amazed by how beautiful she was. We had two children we were a family of four now. Our lives would forever be changed. The nurses came and went and the baby was checked by a half dozen people but I never left her side. There are mothers who send the baby to the nursery but I can't. I want them with me at all times not for fear but because there is so much love I have for them. They have been with me for nine months, why would I want them to be away from me.

James and i left the hospital and settled into our life as new parents. Elizabeth has turned out to be an amazing baby. She is never fussy, only when she is hungry or tired, or if Jackson shows her just a little much love for her liking. We are so blessed to have these two amazing babies, and spirits from God. Parenting though hard at times, is one of the greatest things in the world, and a job I love.

xoxo Nicole